FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 17

Sessayn brought the pair back into the depths of the ruins, walking a worn path that many had seen before them. Despite the encroaching signs of nature's grasp, the weeds and vines had been kept away by either a blade's edge or dragon's claws. She rumbled off the numerous structures that one could have used back eons ago, from scale polishing, blacksmithing, painting, to even techniques in dancing.

Eventually there were no more buildings to draw attention to, the path had been swallowed up the flower thick forest. Animals scurried beneath their paws, unafraid of the dragon's coming. When asked on why they had to walk, Sessayn merely eyed his lack of wings, insisting that he would be forced to walk what the human pilgrims had done the many years ago.

“For they came with dragons that had tried to rescue them." She pleasantly rolled off the tongue, drifting off to younger days as she ducked her head and avoided the thick canopy above. Yet even still they could make out the temple looming over them, waiting for their presence. “Wayward souls with such optimism and love. You'd think the sun had been lit within their chests as their eyes widened. This whole new world laid bare before them."

“The humans?" Veledar asked.

“Them as well." She calmly replied, “For the dragons didn't think this way of life could be achieved as well. Many years saw bloodshed and hate, none could see a way through the corpses and sea of despair. Yet here they found their tranquility, their peace." She paused to take in a deep breath, closing her eyes and drifting back.

Unease surged through his veins, waiting for the other shoe to drop. If this place were such a paradise, what had finally befallen it? Arcturus seemed to have the same idea as he pressed on, asking the very question.

“Their patience wasn't infinite, others went into the world." She slowed her pace, curling them around a fallen over log thick with moss and mushrooms. Tiny moths fluttered around, gathering on the trunk like a tide of purple wings. “They tried to spread the word of what we'd done. Try to make peace with those that wouldn't have it." A solemn look overcame Sessayn's features, her wings pinned tight to her. She winced as she could picture their screams, their faces of betrayal. “But it was too soon. The hate hadn't simmered. What they offered was only seen to wage war. Greater weapons to be used against one another. In the end they brought the thing they were trying to prevent. So they faded away. Some became one with the stone, others gathered and left. They found a place far removed of this place, where they'd never be troubled again."

They'd finally stopped at the base of the temple's stone stairway,well kept and decorated with bands of copper, silver and brass, each shimmering gently in the sunlight. Poles stood to mark the start, one human with his head bowed, carrying a book above his head. Opposite him was a dragon of brass scales, peering inquisitively at the pages. Her tail marked the first step, draconic runes carved into her scales. The stairs flowed up like a pleasing breeze, hugging tight the hill. Yet there were no handrails to be found, one wrong slip and you might find yourself falling towards the lake below. Thankfully it was large enough for a dragon to squeeze themselves upon.

The story had left Sessayn silent, a chill about the air as she looked once to them and then stared out onto the horizon. Veledar pulled Arcturus close, hoping that whatever future Cordenth wanted didn't repeat what once had been done.

“What war was this?" Arcturus couldn't help but ask, gently rubbing Veledar's paw. “The one with Lumara, where dragons assaulted the castle?"

“Oh no." She sighed softly after a time. “You'd not remember it. What I spoke of happened eons before. When this world was relatively new. You may not feel it, so close to it as you are." She held out a paw, slowly waving it around the air. “But I can smell it, taste it, the very air is old."

“How old are you exactly?" Veledar had the sneaking suspicion she was ancient. Probably the oldest dragon he'd ever met. The female simple tilted her head and didn't say a word on the subject.

“But what you ask human was the splintering of our age. When dragon kind ruled over this fresh and vibrant world. The gods had crafted it with their magical might, led by Bahamut the most powerful of their kind. Into us she poured her wisdom, her strength, and beauty beyond measure. Course with what she had; we also got her other qualities. Her pride, arrogance, and vanity."

“So the god wasn't perfect?"

“None of them were." Sessayn sighed, “Mere survivors of broken worlds, latching onto one another like a life raft. They found a sliver of power within this place, using it to craft themselves a haven. Each of the ten filled this place with beings such as themselves, trying to recreate what they'd lost."

“Lost to what?" Veledar's heart shivered, what could make a god run in fear? “Don't tell me devils or something."

She merely snorted, for devils and demons were far below gods in that regard. “They didn't share that. They merely left to concoct a plan so that our world would be safe. Unburdened by what they feared. In their place they left a teacher, a guide, Bahamut's very son." Her voice went lower, growling by the end of it. Muscles tensed, nostrils flared, her tail lashed against the stone. The very air heated, to the point they were certain she'd light it aflame. With a deep breath she composed herself, a plume of smoke leaving her nostrils.

They went to ask her what had darkened her mood, but the dragoness merely snorted and shot a wing towards the stairs. “We will speak on the next level. Things should be clearer there." Sessayn spread her feathery appendages wide and took flight, easily swooping out of view in a manner of heartbeats.

“Well that was certainly odd." Arcturus crossed his arms, “Bahamut's son huh? Never heard of him, you?"

Veledar shook his head, trying to focus on what they'd been told. “Why the history lesson though? Do I look like one for tombs and books? Does it matter for the path ahead?" He pressed a paw over the tail, groaning as weights seem to fall upon his shoulders. Clearly this was going to be a test of endurance.

“Oh yes you-“ Arcturus groaned, joining at Veledar's side. He scowled as the dragon snickered at his discomfort. “Oh laugh it up. I believe you're doing the same trial."

He was right, and the dragon huffed away without word.

“But I'd be more patient with them. More mindful. Perhaps this lesson is going to help within the temple itself? It's clearly very important to them."

He said nothing the padded his way up the thick steps, his tail swishing intime with his pace. In silence they carried, massaged gently by the drifting winds. Birds fluttered just out of reach, swooping down to peer at these wayward travelers. He couldn't help but feel as though they were judging them. How would the dragons with wings have handled these tests? He pressed forward until they came to a larger platform, two more statues of dragon and human waiting for them with open arms. Sessayn was sitting perched overhead on a stone jutting from the temple. It was thick, carved with runes and perfectly let her lay upon it's features.

Leaping down with grace, the dragoness gently landed upon the stone. It hardly even shook, she didn't even make a sound. She approached, scales clinking. She gestured to a mural beside them, carved out of the very stone itself. There was a dragon on full display, a golden beast with his feathery wings spread. His scales sparkled like treasure in the sun, his teeth ivory. Scores of dragons and mortals lay bowing at his claws, their heads drooped. Across the vibrant landscape behind him were towering spires of magical might, twisting energies that connected to his horns.

“This was Bahamut's son?" He asked softly, slowly approaching. This dragon seemed to have everything. Power, the respect of dragons and all the humanoids at his paws. Veledar couldn't help but be envious of this pinnacle of draconic kind. This divine being on which they'd all be measured.

Sessayn snarled and glared daggers at this mural. Almost as if she wished to rip it apart. “If not for the lesson it teaches I'd have destroyed it. This monster is why things fell apart. Afraid of change, wished to be loved as his mother, desired power beyond what he was given." She tapped at the mortals along his paws. “Pay close attention. That's not love."

Sure enough when he peered closer, the mortals were all chained and bound. Each of them a look of misery on their faces. Veledar shivered, frills pinning to his snout. He remembered his time in the deep fae, those golden wraith creatures chasing after him. Were those his creations? The dragon was shifting from paw to paw as Arcturus crouched down and scowled at the display. The man's brow furrowed, this sort of dragon was the reason his type of family even existed.

“What happened?" The man asked softly, turning to Sessayn with wide eyes.

The dragoness stirred, her tail coiling in on her hinds. The question didn't surprise her, but she coughed and turned away the same. It was always hard to recount such times. “He gave into his baser desires as I said. Mortals were treated poorly, they were slaves, playthings, objects to be done with how we pleased. For he saw it that we dragon kind were the greatest of all beings. Why shouldn't we have something to show for it. So instead of being their to guide and mentor like his mother wanted, he and his kin instead played corrupted gods. They treated the world and those that inhabited as their playthings."

The dragoness growled and motioned for them to follow along, the mural spreading up around the cliff face. It depicted the mortals rising to fight against Bahamut's son and his man dragons, the mortals themselves having dragon allies of their own.

“Some of our kind didn't agree with how he saw things. They pleaded and prayed for his mother to intervene. So she did, arriving to slay and help put down the mess in which she'd caused." The dragoness stilled, her head drooping. “The life bringer was torn apart in those years. She became the warrior, the slayer of evil. Her heart hardened in that time. But the fighting was tough, the Emperor as he called himself would not go quietly." She gestured to four dragons at his side, each a different color. There was one of green, red, black, lastly one of gold. Each of them swept on fields of mortals, decimating them with their breaths."

They came to the next level in hardly any time at all, another platform complete with a perch. Statues of knights stood at attention; their stone armor shaped in the image of dragons themselves. They held their lances with pride, staring out onto the forest below. Sessayn sighed as the mural showed the mortals holding up what would be known as the dragon orbs. Just like the ones that had given life to dreadflame and Emerald Lady.

“Thanks to his daughter, Ossai-, or as mortals called her, The Emerald Lady.“ She pointed with a wing to a green dragon being swallowed by an orb. Her lavender eyes wide in shock as the mortals cheered and celebrated her defeat. “She devised a way to seal away his strongest of his dragons, children of the Emperor. Each of those dragons were given a terrible power by their malevolent father, and shared his cruelty."

Rider and dragon eyes widened in shock. “She helped them defeat him?" Veledar sputtered.

“She's related to Bahamut." Arcturus whispered, rubbing his chin with a furrowed brow.

Sessayn nodded, “Both true. Thanks to her the Emperor's prison was forged. His own children made to seal him away."

“Why not kill him?" Veledar thumped his tail, picturing the destruction this dragon had brought. “He was far too dangerous, clearly."

She sighed, looking away as if in shame. “That may be so, but what mother could kill their children so effortlessly?" She led them up the final stairway to the top of the temple. “She hesitated, and the Emperor shattered her as well. In a breath the goddess of dragons was little more than magic tossed into the weave."

Arcturus rubbed his chestplate, as if the shard of Bahamut inside was writhing around. “Then how?"

“The Claw of Bahamut. A dragon and rider that shared that moniker. The Emperor heard of them but dismissed the very notion of their importance, it was this arrogance that led to his utter defeat. Though the pair indeed perished in the battle, they ensured that the ritual needed was completed. The golden monster was banished to his crystal prison, buried to never again trouble this world. The orbs that keep him locked were scattered into temples, locked, and hidden away. Ossai herself by my order joined her siblings." The golden dragoness growled, “For she was never going to stay loyal. I could see it in her wretched eyes. We would be better off without her kin."

They exchanged looks. Did they mention Cordenth and how Emerald Lady had assisted them? Both stilled their tongues for now, no need to sour what they'd been learning. “So how did the war happen then?" Arcturus coughed, trying to move the awkward silence.

“Simple really. Mortals and dragons that couldn't let go of their hate. Mistrust and accidents led to more bloodshed, blaming and more hate. In time things broke out again, this time it was over different pains and aches." She sighed deeply as they finally crested the final stair. “But we keep this place alive, in hope one day the future we wished for would come to fruition." She peered down with a smile. “It would seem the seeds could be planted here."

Veledar thumped his chest with a purr. “Of that there is no doubt. For you see, we're out to make legends for ourselves. I think making the world a better place counts as that."

“That it does." She chuckled, trotting across the tiled floor.

The stone here was older than the rest, cracks crawling all across like tiny rivers. They led to a towering structure decorated in numerous murals, golden dragons and mortals were embraced had in paw. They stared out towards the sun, a brighter future on the other side. It was as it should be, not a single look of despair or malice found within their multitude of faces.

With every paw upon the stone, Veledar could feel himself shrinking before so many wizened faces of old. There was a phantom weight upon him as if the gazes fell upon his scales. Here he was, within one of the holiest places of dragon kind. Where only a select few had ever tred their paws. He took a moment to breathe in the dry air, transfixed in the utter awe of the moment.

“I can't believe this." Arcturus said softly, eyes wide as the man traced along the mural. “Its…Words failed him, resting a hand on Veledar's shoulder. He could feel the man's heart flickering in his own. “How many have stood where we do now? Gaze upon this place?"

He nodded, flicking his tail. “And how will we be rewarded? It is a temple dedicated to Bahamut."

“And mortal kind." Sessayn chimed in, slinking towards a towering door of pristine stone. She tapped it with a claw, “Don't forget that within this place you are equal. Two souls lost within the halls looking for one another. Let the bond guide you, pull you together. Let no barrier stand between the connection that tethers you together."

They looked to one another. Veledar gulped, shifting from paw to paw. With a heavy breath he composed himself, raising his head high. “Then let this be the last moment I walked the way I am."

Arcturus smiled before affixing the doors with an inquisitive look. His arms crossed, “What waits for us in that? You said separated?"

Frills fluttered in alarm. “Separated?"

“Of course." Sessayn tapped upon the stone, then gestured to a smaller door hidden in an alcove of stone. “Inside you'll find what you bring with it. The baggage and tribulations that weigh heavily on your souls. There will be distractions, trials, and through it you must let each other be the guide. Remember that you are no longer two, but one glorious soul shining brightly for all to see." She sighed and slunk around them, her eyes traveling from armor to scale. “Perhaps you'll learn deeper things of one another, illuminate dark secrets that hold your troubles in place."

“This sounds like the deep fae or the fairy realm." Veledar snorted, flicking his tail. They'd bested things like this before, they'd do it again.

“Were you alone in such a place?" Sessayn stuck her snout down, eyes narrowing like a blade. At his silence she only growled, “I thought not. Don't take this lightly young one. Both body and mind are to be tested." She turned back, as if staring passed the stone barrier. “Lets hope you're bond is strong enough."

“This trial could kill us?" Arcturus voiced Veledar's thoughts, staring harshly at the towering dragoness. “That doesn't seem to be appealing to the bonded. Why even frame it in a manner?"

“I second the motion!" Veledar stomped down his paw, “Though whatever is within there I'm sure we could have handled."

“Where in life there is danger. The trials are a reflection in that. If you're to be consumed by your past and fears, than you would never had made it as one of us anyway." She snapped, voice like an artic wind. “Bonded can-do terrible things together. Those mistakes cannot be repeated."

The pair gulped. The door looked very much like the maw of some monstrous creature rather than a door. Even the silver lines that lined it appeared to be sharpened teeth, ready to bite down the moment they entered. The rapidness of his heart was stilled with a breath, shake of the head and a comforting hand from his paladin.

“It won't be." His chest swelled, they couldn't fail. “Too much rides upon this. Our friends, ourselves, my wings and magic." He narrowed his eyes, determination swirling within his sapphire pools. “We are not afraid."

Arcturus thumped his chest, standing tall. “Couldn't have said it better myself. What he said."

He grinned back as Sessayn nodded in approval, and a popping sound in the air announced Callon appearing before them all.

“Well dishes be done." The sun elf chuckled with an innocent smile, dusting off the apron he bore. As he noticed it he rolled his eyes, and made it disappear with a click of his fingers. “Did I miss anything important?"

“You teleported!" Arcturus gasped.

Veledar stomped his paw, letting out a snort. “We could have done that the entire time instead of walking?" He lashed his tail at the lingering ache in his pads. “Was it all for a laugh?"

“Not at all, they needed to be done!" Callon's finger went skyward as Sessayn approached and nuzzled upon his cheek.

“Just the information they needed to hear, and the description of the temple."

“Did you mention the mirror?"

“Spoilers dear."

“Oh yes." The elf swished back his hair, seriousness rushing to his face with a breath. “I wouldn't want to spoil anything."

Huffing, the dragon took the sudden reveal on the chin. Though his calmness was more attributed to Arcturus slowly rubbing his lowerjaw. Curse that man and his ability.

“Now if you don't mind." Callon offered his hand to Arcturus, sweeping his other to the door. “I believe we have to get started. You did say time was important."

“That we did." The knight nodded, turning back to Veledar with concern painted on his face. “Are you to be fine."

He snorted, frills warming. He was a dragon, of course he was fine. “Just don't get yourself killed. You'll make me furious to no end. Don't go following strange dragons or eating odd plants. I know how curious you can be."

The man chuckled, wagging a finger. “Don't be touching anything valuable or trying to add to your hoard. We've on a mission."

“I'm aware." He rolled his eyes, nuzzling against the man's cheek until he was rewarded with a scale warming kiss to the cheek.

“Stay safe." Arcturus said softly.

He nodded, pressing their heads together. “Just follow my heart as she said. We'll be fine."

“And don't bring the sword!" Sessayn announced with a brassy voice. “You won't need it in there. The only dangers that are there are those you bring."

The man pulled back, patting his scabbard. “That's why I need the sword, otherwise I'll be defenseless!" He stared at her like she was crazy. She was resilient, didn't budge. Silence lingered between the pair until she flared her nostrils with a glare.

“Do as you wish human, but I warned you." She growled, resting a paw upon the larger door. “Now Veledar, I wish you all the luck."

She pushed and the door cracked, dust exploded from the crack. Musty air burst forth, sending shivers crawling down Veledar's spine. It spoke of ancient dragons, deaths and the unknown. He coughed and sputtered, staring at the darkness with watery eyes. It seemed to call for him, begging and pleading for his first paw. With courage burning within he pressed forward into the darkness, not even flinching when she slammed the door behind him.

*

The world around him was varying shades of gray. The still air hung about him, filling each breath with musky dread. The room around him was vast and old, littered with statues of dragon kind. They seemed almost lifelike in the dark, and very well could have been. Were they dragons that'd also given up and taken to the sleep? Veledar shivered.

From the statues were whole sections that broken or shattered away, forgotten weapons laying silently draped in cobwebs. He thought of Arcturus, wondering if his insistence to bring his weapon would end in such a way. He swallowed that building dread and pressed onward to a hallway beyond. Such thoughts would prove him no good.

“Bring what you have with you?" He snorted at the foolishness. This place was just a temple, not even a trace of magic hinted on the air. Yet as he made such a boast, he couldn't help but feel narrowed in on. The walls closing in on either side. He pressed at them with his paws to be sure, they were hard and cold. No sign of movement. He rested his head against them, sighing in relief. Just the nerves, it was all in his head.

“What did she say to do?" He paced and flicked his tail against the stone. Focus on Arcturus and the bond. Let them find him through the temple. He closed his eyes, trying to visualize the bearded man he loved. He could feel his touch upon his cheek, swear his was in front of him. Even a flicker of emotion was caught within his heart. Unease and curiosity. The dragon's eyes opened, frills pinning at the lack of anyone. If only he could find him now. He swept away the worry with a breath. Arcturus was strong, and had proven himself on numerous occasion.

“But what if he runs into a dragon sized problem?" He whispered to himself, quickening his pace down the hall. He didn't even stop to read the numerous dragon runes upon the walls, telling of times long since gone. Only Arcturus was on his mind.

Foot steps resounded off the halls, heavy boots of at least a dozen individuals. The dragon froze mid step, head slowly turning.

Had she let more people in here? His nostrils flared, bring the scent of oiled steel, burning torches, and sweating people. He could even make out their torches in the distance, but tiny specks amidst the darkness. They were shouting something, but he was certain they were calling out for a dragon's death.

“Drag him out, string him up!" They chanted, their ghostly wails chilling the bone.

He huffed and turned, casting them from his thoughts. “Arcturus." He growled, pressing forward into the mazelike halls of stone.

Cobwebs littered the path ahead, when it wasn't pressed tight with stones. It seemed like the caretaking duties of the dragon pairs did not extend to here. Veledar was forced to suck in his scales, squeeze himself forcefully through such places. Cobwebs he simply burned them, letting their strands spread across the area with a glorious burst of light. There would be no risking of giant spiders.

Every intersection increasingly got the scent of dragon lingering around the stone. Old, familiar, like a snowy hillside. He stalled at every time, softly listening to hear the crunching of snow. His frills pinned as he heard his name whispered, by the phantom voice of Covrias.

“Why did you leave me?"

Ice spread to the dragon's heart as he whipped around. His heart pounded in his ears, nothing was here. For minutes he turned and stared, panting heavily. Surely he couldn't be here, it was an illusion. Yet it had seemed so real. The breath had even brushed against his ear. “I must find Arcturus." Veledar shook his head, following the growing sense of unease coming from his mate.

Claws clacking against the stone became the norm, drowning out his rapidly beating heart. Arcturus was sensing something frightful, enough to set him on edge. What it was only increased the dragon's speed through the halls. He was practically galloping by the time he came to another intersection. Here he found the smell of old leather, packs, and saddles for dragons to use. Gilded metals lined the ceiling ahead, pointing an arrow down one of the three paths. A sign?

He looked around. Nothing but the empty halls and silence that held too long. His paws shifted as he breathed in deep. No sign of Arcturus. Yet he could smell the tang of metal, and his brother. The laugh made him jump at least foot off the stone.

“You're not there!" He roared, stomping down a paw. “You're long and gone. This is nothing but a trick!"

Silence greeted him, dragged out every heartbeat, coiled tightly around his heart. “Are you so certain brother?" The voice asked from behind, “When have you been right before? If you were, perhaps I'd still be alive."

He turned and fled down the hall, not even daring to look back as a gurgling sound radiated from behind. That gurgle of a final breath, maw filling with blood. Legs burning, he raced into a sizable room, dragon statues staring down from the sides. They flanked a full-length mirror surrounded in gold trim, softly glowing runes upon it's trim. The surface was silvery and luminescent, like a light spread from behind. It shimmered and wavered like a pool of water, almost whispering him forward.

The ground around him was pristine, lacking the ruin of everything else. With a breath things started to fade away save this piece of furniture. Fog softly built around it's base, curling and consuming the room as he tentatively closed in.

Was it truly a mirror? His heart was pounding in his chest. His troubles in the hall seemed like a distant dream. Arcturus? He was fine and would make his way here. He snorted and paced around it. This thing smelled old, ancient, and reeked with the spicy scent of magic. It made his eyes widen, his greed burn. This thing was valuable beyond measure. He softly rose a forepaw as if guided by an invisible hand. Perhaps just a touch?

He stalled inches from its surface. Clearly this was a trap. The dragon pulled back with a throaty chuckle and a swish of the tail. “Jokes on you mirror. I will not be visiting another realm today." He planted down his haunches, not paying it the time of day. “Arcturus was supposed to find me. This seems like a good of place as any. Who knows…" he trailed off, taking in the carvings around him. Each of them a different dragon species, a humanoid by their side. He couldn't begin to count the figures that rose along the wall. He stared up, not even finding the ceiling.

Fear and agony pierced his heart like a lance. The dragon coiled, his scales rebelling against him. He trembled and shook as pain ripped through the rest of him. He thrashed against the stone, snarling, and hissing until it ceased. He was left panting, eyes watering as a darkened figure appeared in the mist.

Arcturus?" He asked weakly, softly reaching out. When his paw met, the figure burst into ash. Cold swept into bite at him, slithering around his horns and seeking out his bones. He shot up, eyes wide as he scanned the hall. No sign of that figure no matter where he looked. Even when he raced around, sniffing for a scent. There was nothing there. He hadn't even existed.

It had to be a trick." He muttered softly, then glaring daggers at the waiting mirror. It pretended to be innocent as it rested there, but he knew it had to be the cause.

“Think its funny to trick a dragon like that? Who gave you the right you mindless contraption?" He stomped over, flame glands swelling to full life. Perhaps a plume of fire would melt this thing for all time. As he took a breath the shimmering surface changed, and another shape took it's place. Darkness lurked within, only broken by a figure of mangled flesh and blood. It was a dragon of different scales, painstakingly stitched together like some mockery of a quilt. It's dead eyes stared at him, ghostly white. Horns were shattered, it's forelimbs were ripped open to reveal muscle and bone beneath.

He reared in alarm, letting loose his wicked flames. Their red-orange vengeance caressed the mirror, wrapping tightly in it's deadly purpose. The wood however had other ideas, it pierced through the wave like nothing. Gold lay untarnished as he settled down, not even a hint of smoke was left. The figure merely matched his movements, staring as if through his soul.

“Is..that..me?" He panted, hardly able to keep his eyes on it. It looked as if it were stitched together from different dragons. Some mockery of dragon form given life. Yet the longer he stared at this terrible thing the more it became apparent. It wasn't just any dragons it was made from, but that of his mother and brother.

“Why did you leave us?" The thing wheezed through rotted lungs, a paw pressing firmly to the other side. “You left us to die!"

In a moment he was a little wrymling again, not the great dragon he knew himself to be. He tried to run for the halls but found them blocked, stone materialized as if out of thin air. His claws raked in horror, never marring the surface. He was left to turn back, his spine tingling as the dead thing pressed another paw upon the surface.

“Why did you not return? The human's came with their lances and magic. If you'd have been there I'd have lived. I thought you were my son? I loved you!"

“I did love you!" He screamed back, “I didn't leave you behind! I tried to get help!"

Beside them came a withered elf, draped in robes worn by Shandalar. Her hair was gone, her skull burned and marred beyond reason. Her head tilted, lips curling back into a sneer. “Each life you touch ends in misery. You're nothing but a blight upon the time of others. You know this to be true."

The undead dragon pressed intently against the glass, tail lashing at the effort. “Its why you'll never become a legend. You'll cower in fear as you have always done. Run when you should have stayed. Even now you blunder and fail when any dragon would have pressed through!" The dragon groaned in effort as Veledar stared in terror, his eyes wider than plates. “We asked for a legendary dragon to make our misery worth it! You've done nothing but fail! You're not even a mediocre dragon, you're nothing but an unmitigated disaster!"

“That's untrue, you're not real!" He screamed thundering his head against the wall. “I have tried everything! I WILL become a legend! You won't have died in vain!"

“Lies!" The glass began to crack, first just a tiny splinter, exploding out into a mighty river. “You'll fail like all the times before it!"

The air froze as the first shard of enchanted glass shattered against the floor. Veledar pressed himself back far as he could, scales rubbing raw against the stone. His heart was a stampede of wild horses as the mangled collage of corpses shambled out onto the floor, Shandalar's twisted hand resting at its side. Dead eyes met his own, piercing his soul as blackened blood ran like rivers down their wretched and rotted limbs, pooling like ink upon the stone.

“Why?" The groaned, their flesh drawing taught.

He met them with fire. Glorious and terrible red-orange flames of death. It lit the room, closed the distance and bathed every inch of their horrific forms. Let it scatter them away to ash. With tears in his eyes he gave them a final parting gift. Let them trouble him no longer.

But they would not be deterred. The undead mockeries of life advanced cruelty towards him. The flames licked and coiled around their limbs, paying them no mind. Deathly silence followed in their wake, leaving the frightened yelp of a dragon soon coming.

“I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!" He swerved away, his frills stitching to his snout. He dashed to the other side of the room, their rotted paws grazing against his scales. Relief came in the form of a newly formed corridor, and he took it with little regard on the how. He was practically skidding across the stone, eyes wide in absolute dread.

“Just as always!" The dead dragon roared, it's wet paw pads squelching from behind. “That's how you honor us? Running like the wind? When until you fail Arcturus? What will your thoughts be then?"

Words bubbled to his thoughts but never surfaced as the corridors became a blur of dust and stone. There was no direction, no rhyme or reason, he just had to get away. Each pawstep was but another mirror of his heart. Until he stopped, fog crawling at his forepaws. The air was still, cold and brushing against his soul. He was out of breath as he whipped around his head, staring out into the foggy paths ahead. Behind him came the wretched screech of his undead pursuer, he didn't have much time.

“Veledar Veledar. Crimson Sky, easy to say and lets everyone die!"

Tears welled in his eyes. “I didn't let you die! It wasn't my fault."

“It was YOUR choice! YOU left me!"

“And me!" His mother called, the undead dragon's form crawling from the mist like a malevolent shadow. “Never did care enough to come and visit! One really wonders if you every really cared about us."

Sobbing he raced down an uncertain path, down the moistening stone that traveled further down. Deeper and deeper into the wretched heart to this cruel place. “That's not true! I loved you all! You were my family!"

“Then how come we died for nothing? Laid bare in the wretched story that is your life? Caring more about a paladin than your own family? YOU'VE forgotten yourself!"

“NO! Never!" His heart finally broke as he slammed headfirst into a dead end. Reeling he collapsed to the icy stone below. Not far behind he could hear the thing's claws dragging along the floor, scraping and spelling out his coming doom. There had to be another way out. Trembling paws ran their way across the indented stone, extending a claw to find anything that would give. With luck on his side on such stone pushed in and a hidden door slid open with a resounding clunk. Without thinking he dashed in, his tail nearly getting squished at it slammed shut behind him.

“COWARD!" The voice of his brother pounded through the walls, shaking loose stone from the ceiling above. “YOU leave me again! Hear this pathetic dragon, you're no brother of mine! I hope you rot and dwell within the nine hells. Our mother deserved much better than you!"

Weight pushed its way across his scales, dragging the once proud dragon to the floor. His eye squeezed shut as cold swept in and sunk to the marrow of his bones. He curled inward, shivering like a wrymling. “Don't listen." He whispered, repeating it to himself over and over as the dragon roared and smashed it's paws against the hidden wall. “Its just an illusion. It must be. You only bring what you have with you." As he drifted inward and focused on his mate, the roaring faded away to nothing. With a deep breath of the musty air everything was gone.

He found himself in the center of a lengthy corridor size enough for him to fit his bulk, littered with raised platforms of crushed vases and statues of long forgotten knights. Cobwebs had retaken where they used to dwell. The walls were decorated with banners of varying kinds, mortals charging atop horses and dragons to meet more of kind. Below their mount's paws and hooves were the scores of dead, not just of mortal kind. Dragons of every scale littered the ground as if a field of flowers, dashed with heavy strokes of crimson blood. He could almost hear the shouts of men, screaming for their lost ones as dragons swooped down to obliterate them with breaths.

“An interesting collage to have." He took a deep breath, letting the silence around him still his heart. He'd survived whatever wretched challenge was here. Now he just had to get back to finding Arcturus. He took his first few steps along the corridor when a familiar undead visage entered the hallway. His blackened coal like eyes instantly locking to the dragon.

“What an interesting place to find you in." The tight skinned undead face uttered, his blackened and frayed robes billowing as fog wrapped around his feet. “Who would have thought? Fascinating place. I'll be sure to study it in great detail."

How was he here? Veledar stepped slowly back, every fiber of his being screaming in his ear. Frills pinned as his chest threatened to explode, he felt as though he was drowning.

“Dragon caught your tongue?" He took his first step, the corridor seeming to drag itself towards him. “How utterly unfortunate. I hope you've at least prepared yourself for our journey."

“You're not real." He stomped down his paw with a growl, composing himself with a flick of the tail. “I'll not be frightened off."

“Tsk tsk." The lich wagged his finger. “Missing the point entirely. But let me give you a demonstration." He drew a rune of shimmering light, tossing a fireball inches from Veledar's feet. The stone shattered and burned beneath the onslaught, littering his paws with debris.

Without another thought he turned and fled. How was this even possible? That debris had been real! Faster than the wind he raced away before even Nigel could raise a boney hand again.

Into the ever-thickening fog he sprinting, not even able to see inches front of his snout. He bumped and slammed into numerous walls, chastising himself to push on ever faster. Nigel was right behind him, eager to finish the job he'd started.

“Is this the story you want for yourself?" The lich's voice thundered down the hall. “Instead of standing proud against the mighty lich, you run like a terrified rabbit. Fitting I suppose, no one will remember you when you're gone."

How was he here if he wasn't an illusion? How did he escape? What of his friends back at Struport, where they injured or dead? He couldn't stop to think as his head buzzed with adrenaline. Where was his paladin when he needed him most? His paw caught a raised stone, crashing him to the stone. Pain surged across his body, blurred his vision. Why did the air smell crisp and laced with salt?

Blinking his eyes gone was the temple that swallowed him, but instead the courtyard of Storm's home. The tree was a godsend to him now, welcoming him home with open arms. He could almost smile as snow gently drifted downward to rest upon his snout. He was free. Far away from the troubles that ailed him. Or so he thought, the first step he took changed everything.

From the ground game bloodied corpses of those he loved. Not just the family he'd lost but of his friends he'd come to know. Numerous gryphons and mortals of all shapes split and ripped apart in grisly fashion. He almost wretched at how thick the blood pooled in the snow. He backed away, counting Lyndis, Cordenth, Merlia, and even Feku among their number. He cried as the weight and shock of their loss fell upon his back. His forepaws wavered, the mighty mountain crumbled, and Veledar collapsed to the snow.

He called to each of them in name, wincing at how terrified their final expressions were. Each of them with raised hands, warding off an invisible attacker. How had this happened? Veledar sobbed and squirmed, even calling to Arcturus when Nigel's gentle steps sounded from behind. He didn't even have the energy to turn as the wicked thing spoke.

“I know the loss of those you loved. Long ago it plagued me so." Nigel stared; sympathy absent from those blackened voids. “Yet your friends here. They were nothing and ill sport. If only you'd have come with me. Perhaps this all could have been prevented." His rotted hand balled into a first as he sneered. “I'll never stop hunting for you dragon. No matter where you hide or run to. Everyone you know will suffer. This was always their future. If not by me, then another. More people you never saved."

“Where is Arcturus?" He rose, tears streaming down his scales. He was almost hallow, but he had to know. He could still feel the man's heart beating in his chest. He was frightened, adrenaline pumping. “What have you done to him?"

“Me? Nothing?" The lich smirked.

“Lies." He stomped a paw, shaking away his tears. “I may not be able to stop you, but let him go. Take me instead."

“But as I said. I've done nothing." The lich swirled his hands, vanishing with a resounding chuckle. “It's already happened."

Snow melted away to pale and dying grass. The hills rose around him, trees sprouting, rocks digging themselves from the dirt. Mountains rose, dotted with snow, human houses soon joining them to nestle upon the hills. Last of all came the Lund estate, and a gravestone at Veledar's paws.

He was alone, the sun was setting. The autumn air was heavy about him, bringing in a swift chill. The dragon's heart nearly stopped as his eyes widened. This couldn't be. Carved into the finest of granite was a solitary grave, one made out for Arcturus. Lived and died a friend of dragons it said, with the title beneath it proclaimed he was the legendary Crimson Sky's love. In an instant, the cold that gripped Veledar's heart consumed the rest of him.

Memories of times he'd not seen came sprouting as ghostly images around his paws. Thousands of moments of bliss, happiness painted clear on their faces. There were dinners he couldn't remember, holidays that escaped him. Friends he had yet to meet. Repeatedly Veledar watched them dance and play around the lonely field, wishing he could join. His head drooped, his soul withered, the light inside him faded. Tears came flooding down worse than before, followed by a heart wrenching sob.

“Arcturus." He whispered, wishing he had more of the time. The knight that'd won his heart long since gone. It needn't be said but he knew it was hundreds of years in his future, for he was far larger than he remembered. Only a sliver of his life had the knight graced, and he was forced to march along to the times unknown. He collapsed and coiled around the hardened ground. He blathered the man's name as he cried and shook, feeling no bigger than a wrymling himself.

“Please." He whispered, staring at the underside of his aging paw through blurry eyes. “Let this all be a terrible dream. This must be an illusion. Life would never be so cruel."

Yet nothing came as the dragon was reduced to sobbing incoherently until his breath had all but faded. Tears were long since gone as he curled tighter, wishing himself to be whisked away to parts unknown. The sun slowly sank below the distant horizon, one last fleeing moment of memory before night surged forth to swallow him.

With it came a weakened cry, one he knew all too well. It was Covrias, gasping out his last breaths. When he thought no more pain could come, that pierced through his scales like a thrusted spear. The countryside faded, exploding forth to a gentle clearing where no evil had the rights to stick it's evil's head. Yet found among these gentle blades of grass was the crumpled form of a silver wrymling, blood streaked in copious amounts across the ground. Arrows littered his shattered torso, painstakingly rising with every gurgled breath. The little drake didn't have much time.

“Not this." His eyes widened; his soul screamed. He found himself in his younger paws, his scales quivering as his dying silver brother called for their mother. “Not again." He tried to take a step as the little one called out for him, begging for someone to be there as he passed. Yet Veledar didn't budge, frozen in fear, staring at the bones piercing through his brother's scales. “I'll get help!" He shouted, turning tail to sprint for their mother. She had to be the one to help. With every step his brother's fading cry a distant memory. He left him to die alone and scared, not even a kind paw to comfort him.

From the trees came a thunderous voice, shaking bark and stone beneath it's fury. Even Veledar had to freeze, his heart pounding in terror as he searched for their mother.

“And you left me to die alone and scared!" His brother roared as shadows extended from the forest as inky tendrils.

“I didn't! Veledar screamed, rearing up as they circled all around him. Thousands of shadowy snakes biting at his paws. “I went to get help! What was I supposed to do?"

“Stay with me! Because of your fear I was forced to pass in absolute terror! What kind of dragon were you?"

He collapsed, “The one I promised long ago. Please Covrias, I will be a legend. You won't have died for nothing! I'll spend the rest of my days searching and traveling. You will have meaning! You'll have meaning!" He squeezed tight his eyes as the shadows swallowed him whole. Gone was the forest, instead a terrible blackened void, not a hint of sound to be found.

“Just the promise you've always made." Covrias' voice whispered in his ear. “When will you ever fill it?"

“Yet you stayed within your cave." Zaedel snarled to him from the darkness. “Some legend."

“Didn't visit when I asked." His mother cried, her voice ending in a scream of his name.

Fremra's snout pierced through the shadows, her eyes lit with a lavender fire. “So, the question remains who this failure of a dragon is. What is it exactly he wants?"

“I'm Veledar." He replied softly, turning so he didn't look her in the eye. He felt her seriousness fill the air around him as he drifted to the promise he'd made to his brother. One far before his death. They were to be legends, told for all time within the mortal lands. They'd be sung in taverns, told to kings, whispered in reverence across the globe. “Being a legend would be nice to add my accomplishments, but it looks more tarnished the longer I gaze upon it."

The voices gasped around him, racing back to accuse him of abandoning them.

“You promised!" Covrias screamed.

“All I want for is Arcturus in this moment, to hold and have him by my side. If I must loose him to gain such a legend, then I wish not to have it." He looked away when his brother's bloodied face thrust it's way inches from his snout. “To be legends was you want in life. I just wish to be happy. If that leads me to follow Arcturus and adventure across these realms so be it. But my fame will no longer be the driving force." He snapped to his brother, courage filling his chest.

“But I'll have died for nothing. You'll be nothing."

He sighed, frills fluttering softly. “Would that truly be so wrong?" Long ago he'd have recoiled at the idea, but the more he pictured he and Arcturus resting or flying to one another, the less appealing it became. Tears bubbled into his eyes as he looked into his brother's. So much pain swirled within them. “I'm sorry for leaving you that day. I'll only promise to live a full life, and tell everyone of your story." His chin wavered as his heart stretched thin. “I will make sure no-one forgets you."

“And what of you?" His brother growled.

“That will be enough."He closed his eyes with a deep breath, letting musty air fill his lungs. When he opened them gone was the void, and he was sprawled onto his side in the mirror filled room. The fog had retreated to reveal field of shattered glass, a flame wrapped torch on it's side, and a dragon hilted sword with an onyx blade.

Arcturus was standing before him, concern swirling within his teary eyes. His hand was trembling, resting upon the dragon's neck. “Are you alright?" The man's voice nearly broke, “You were lost, mumbling and screaming nonsense. Please…Tell me you're alright."

Without a word the dragon's paw shot out, wrapping tenderly around the human's back. He was pulled tightly to his scaled chest as tears poured down his snout. He nuzzled and licked as his heart burned like fire in his chest. He warbled sorrowfully and nuzzled along the man's face until he thought Arcturus' skin might catch aflame. “You're real."

“Last time I checked." He thumped his breastplate, “What happened?"

He didn't dare look back upon the remains of that artifact. Whatever trap it had ensnared his mind in was clearly gone. Or at least he hoped it was. Any second he expected everything to go racing away, plunging him into that horror once more. With a deep breath he explained what had happened. His encounter with the lich, his mother, and witnessing the final moments of his brother once more.

“And like that I ran once again. I swear…It was only to get help…I didn't want to…" He drooped, tail curling inward. The words were almost worse than the deed. “He died alone."

Arcturus was silent for a moment. His hands never ceased massaging the dragon's armored neck. His eyes were shining pools of emerald light in which the dragon's reflection was soaring. “It wasn't your fault." He said softly, “Children can be scared. Frightful. You know this surely to be true."

“Yes." He sighed, pressing the man to his chest. How he shivered in his grasp hopefully wouldn't be shared to the others. “Did you undergo anything as frightful?"

“Just an empty hall. Dozens of statues and carvings. Think I wondered into a cobweb or three, almost expected a dozen spiders to come springing out of the cracks. Though there was one thing I found within this place." He turned back towards the mirror. “I relived the moments of my family's death by Dreadflame's hands. I saw the man I might become should I follow him to the ends of this earth. Vengeance having a grip upon my soul." Arcturus' voice turned solemn as he bowed his head. “I'd never want to become that man. He lost everything but gained what he wanted."

“I suppose our tales our similar. How did you escape it?" He eyed the human's sword. “I take it a brute force approach worked?"

He shook his head, “I could feel you close by. I felt out to reach you. Afterword's the mirror shattered and I found you here." His eyes narrowed as he gave the shards a wary once over. “Were they even really together? Or some illusion concocted by this place?"

Veledar huffed, pushing himself to all fours. Through his teeth he hissed as aches and pain forgotten came meandering back to his waking mind. “For an illusion, the running was fairly real."

“Glad you're not too roughed up." Arcturus playfully nudged his scaled chest. “Otherwise the whining and moaning would last for days."

“Still just might." He winced, stretching out his ailing tail. “That experience was none too enjoyable."

“None of the learning moments are." Arcturus sighed, searching the hall around them. Veledar did the same, taking deep breaths of the elder room.

Somehow the longer he stared at the blank faces of the dragon and human carvings, they seemed far less empty and imposing. The loneliness and fear that had gripped the back of his skull had vanished, only warmth sweeping in to replace it. Arcturus' hand at his flank made him shiver, cementing the fact everything was as it should be. He curled in his head, “Well we wound each other. What do you think must be done?"

“Now isn't that the question. I thought the test was to find each other." Arcturus searched him over, interest painted on his face. “The bond has done its thing…But something is off." Without a word he squeezed and pressed his careful fingers along his scales. Despite the dragon watching in silence, he pressed onward to the dragon's haunches.

He swished his tail in amusement. “I don't think this is the time for that." He rumbled, as he shifted his rear legs further apart, nudging playfully at his human's back. “Though I wouldn't say no to relieving any amount of st-“

Arcturus wheeled around, catching his snout. “Not that. There is something off about you. It's hard to explain." He sighed and tapped the dragon's cheek. “Imagine the river again Fremra showed us. I can feel the trickle being blocked." He slid along towards Veledar's tail, ignoring how the dragon shivered. “I just have to find it."

“And do what? Unblock it, how do you expect to do that?"

“By being a bit creative." He kneeled, pressing his hands softly to the dragon's hide. He focused and rubbed, slowly massaging up along Veledar's spine. “Can you do the drahkra's again?"

“Again? So soon?" Veledar's eyes widened, his paws twitched at memories of the pain. “What are you on about."

“Your flow. I can feel it running through you." He thumped his breastplate. “Bonded Fremra insisted we could do incredible things. We can share spells, thoughts, emotions, speech." The man sighed and patted Veledar's scales. “The books you gave me spoke of a power to heal magical ailments as well as the physical. Perhaps we need one push…One tremendous shove…together. Can you do that for me?"

Dread coiled and twisted in the dragon's gut. Yet the human's words seemed so genuine, honest, hopeful. Months of failure and pain nagged at him, but one look into Arcturus eyes filled him with genuine hope. They could do this together. “Just do the drahkras again?" He closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. “Didn't she say this could kill me if I failed?"

“Intense pain." He corrected, “You must be honest. No lying or avoiding the method. Clear?"

He nodded, focusing on his visions. “You needn't worry about me."

Remembering Fremra's words, Veledar drifted inward as Arcturus shuffled up his spine. Guilt, pain, fear, misery, regret. They came bubbling like phantoms to his mind, each was swept away down his calm creek. No trouble large or small lingered long, not even the ghostly faces of his mother or brother. He was unburdened by the past. It had happened, he'd not been at fault. He couldn't let it cloud what he hoped to build, a bright future where he could be whomever he wished to be. Love who he wanted to love, and not care how he would be remembered. “I am Veledar." He whispered as Arcturus sought out the back his neck, his hands practically bringing tingling sensations with every rotation.

“I found it." Arcturus gasped, massaging at the base of Veledar's skull. “It's like a hardened stone. This pool of cold and despair." His brow furrowed. “Whatever Nigel did to you. It's wretched. Like he shot a piece of himself into you."

“How unfortunate that you're there." He chuckled softly as he readied himself to push everything else down the creek. “I trust in us Umraadi."

“Then cross your paws." He took a deep breath as if readying for a leap off a cliff. “One final push."

In an instant, pain came rushing in like an unyielding flood. It raced down his spine, spread through his veins, crackling into his lungs with each breath. Veledar shrieked, paws trembling as his entire body arched. It was all he could do to not turn and swat Arcturus like a fly.

“Hold on." His voice was calm, a raft to latch onto in this terrible storm.

Inside and out Veledar's flesh rippled and squirmed. He could feel the lump below Arcturus' fingers, raging hot like the sun. Stars burst before the dragon's eyes as he collapsed to the ground, his tail thundering against the stone.

“Hold on." He repeated, “Stay with me. Push it out together."

So he did as excruciating pain gripped him tightly in it's cruel claws. As he screamed it only increased, ripping his very sight from him. Through darkness his body seemed to melt, squeeze itself together as it swirled around as a mass of unrecognizable gook. The stone that bubbled up below him had thick lines ripped into them as he tried to focus on himself. He was Veledar. This would not be his end. He could do this.

As if cut away, the lump shifted upward. Arcturus screamed at the effort, sweat dropping like bullets down his brow. “Get out of my dragon!" With a final, teeth clenching pop the knight fell backwards. The pain ceased in the next moment, replaced with waves of relief.

Flopping to the ground, Veledar couldn't help but sigh. Months of agony and effort being rewarded in his next sweet breaths. Had the musty air of the temple every tasted so sweet? He didn't care, he weakly rumbled all the same. Arcturus shot to his side, laughing in utter jubilation.

“You did it! By Bahamut, we did it!" He hugged Veledar tightly, tears welling up in his reddened eyes.

“We did it." Veledar weakly replied, nuzzling at his cheek. With every beat of the dragon's heart he could feel power filling his paws. What he thought had been normal just moments ago, felt as though it were a hollow shell. The block was gone, his drahkras flow pulsing powerfully through his spine, he was restored.

“You're alright though?" Arcturus held the dragon's snout close. “You were screaming in-“

“I'm fine." He licked him across the face with a weakened rumble. The coming kiss was a welcome reward for his aching bones. Across both, the bond was pounding fiercely, sharing their relief and bliss to the other. When they pulled back, they were smiling warmly.

There was a brilliant light that swelled within the cave, motes gathering in the air. They circled and spun above their heads like hundreds of little suns. If it was a trap, they had nowhere to go, and the dragon was too weak to move. He held Arcturus close as they closed in on him, silently seeking out his scales. He went to wince but felt no pain, only gentle heat settling about his back. Then it grew with a single breath, swelling outwards into a raging fire. Veledar hissed and squirmed as the air itself seemed to catch aflame.

From his back came twin fires of intense light, making day out of the darkened halls around them. They billowed and shook, almost seeming to roar as they spread towards his tail. As Arcturus backed away the raging inferno shifted and changed to the red-orange tan that his wings used to be, membranes suddenly spouting from his scale like unruly weeds. As he groaned and squirmed through the intense heat that gripped him, fire became bones and muscle. With one final pulse the flames winked out, leaving only the steam curling gently off the dragon's new wings and membranes.

“They're back! They're back!" He leaped up, crying as pain spread through his membranes. But it was worth the effort to see them spread wide, revealing their splendor and glory. He was whole again, not just in body, but magic as well. For good measure he rose a paw, bringing shimmering sparks of multicolored light to litter the hall. His coming warble shook the hall in delight, he bounced upon his paws around the stone. When Arcturus cheered and made his presence known, Veledar was upon him in the blink of an eye.

There were none more beautiful now in the dragon's eye. Everyone else was but a dull stone before a glorious gem of untold worth. This was his treasure, the greatest in all the land. His paws pressed the man close to his chest as he rose onto his hinds. He thanked him constantly as he wept, his neck drooped. Months of effort and pain were loosed as he quivered and cherished the tender hands that massaged his chest.

“Sweetest of humans. Most loyal of knights. I thought there was no higher you could soar, yet here we are." He pulled him back, holding him out with a smile. “Giving hope where there was none. Shining light upon the dark of my soul. I couldn't love you more than I do in this moment."

“Hope was something lit anew in me." The man softly kissing upon Veledar's lips when the dragon slunk his head down. “Its only fair I return the favor."

* * * * * * *

Well this plot thread was quite the journey! It took lots of time and effort of planning, thinking and rewriting so that I could get what I felt was the correct amounts of drama and emotion. I hope you enjoyed yourself for the ride. As always i hope that everyone is taking care of themselves, and keeping safe in regards to everything. I just ask you to favorite if you read it, vote f you liked it. Don't forget to comment if you feel like being awesome. It really improves the morale and lets me know that you cherish not only the world, but the characters within.

If you'd like to support me in extra ways, my patreon can be found here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=371744&fan_landing=...

I do have a picture of Veledar that I'm going to be posting in a week. Just so that you can not have a certain part spoiled here! Enjoy!